I have posted many times before about my attempt at discovering my strengths and weaknesses. The older I get the more I realize things I’m not good at doing. This discovery process has led me to what I believe is the perfect combination on a team:
If we can partner people highly skilled at creating ideas…
…With people highly skilled at implementing them…
We can accomplish anything together.
It’s rare to find one person equally good at both. Not always is the same person who creates the idea the right one to accomplish it. I’m an idea generator, but I’m not always a great idea implementer. I love big visions, but I miss details. I love to see big dreams realized, so I often push people too hard with new ideas, rather than helping them complete the last idea. While I don’t believe I’m wrong for being an idea generator, it would be wrong for me not to recognize where my strengths end and my weakness begins. I know I must surround myself with people skilled at making and implementing systems and plans to accomplish them.
Great idea creators sometimes need to be willing to hand off the implementation to someone skilled in doing so. Otherwise, some of the best ideas never see the light of day.
Consider these questions:
Which are you? Have you tried to be both in your organization?
Do you need to partner with others, give them freedom to stretch you, and allow progress to move forward?
What weakness do you need to balance with someone else’s strength?
Be willing to admit your weaknesses and surround yourself with lots of people wired opposite of you!
Is it possible that someone could be good at *creating* ideas in one area, but poor at implementing them, but be just the opposite in another?
For example, I'm a software engineer. (Yes, I admit it. No April Foolin'. 🙂 ) I can visualize some pretty cool things to build, but I'm a major-league klutz when it comes time to build them. Then the perfectionist in me gets bent out of shape, and nothing good comes out of it. On the other hand, I stink at coming up with software to write, but give me an idea, and I'm there. (OK, 100% of that ability is drained at work, but that's another issue. 🙂 )
Thankfully, like Patricia, I have a spouse who can take the ideas I come up with for children's ministry and craft them, whereas I'm absolute rubbish around kids.
Absolutely Joe. I think you are right. I also think we train ourselves to adapt to our environment. A lot of times our strengths and weaknesses are a combination of our preferences and passions, but also the way our environment has forced us to be. As an example, we can do things for years that we have to do and it has become a strength, but if you asked us about it you’d find we hate doing it. Of course, there are also some details I’m just pretty good at, such as working math problems. I love big pictures, but there’s something refreshing to me about working a math problem. (SOMETIMES.)
If you asked my husband what my weaknesses are, he would say ideas and details. Over the years,nmy favorite words have been "I have an idea" (which causes everyone to duck and hide–no, not another idea!). Seriously though, at times all those ideas get in the way of getting things done. One of the biggest helps to me has been the discipline of writing. Before I began honing my writing skills, I had unfinished projects littering my life. Writing brought focus to my life and now, very few projects are unfinished.
As far as details are concerned, I just don't see the little things (and my husband says the little things are what counts–I'm glad I have him in my life). I think I live so much in my head that I'm not really aware of my surroundings.
I foresee that my new principal is going to help me overcome some of my challenges in teaching this summer–I'm looking forward to that. It's neat to have someone say "Come on, let me help!"
That’s great. Love the balance! Makes a great marriage.
Thx for sharing…is good to know
Thanks for your comment too!